A MISSING terrier has been returned to its owner following the latest in a string of suspected dognappings around Ash, which have included one woman witnessing her pet being enticed into a car.

Jasmine, a Jack Russell terrier cross, went missing on the morning of November 18 when she was taken for a walk with another dog by owner June Beardall’s friend, Chrissy Porter, on the Ash Ranges.

Both had run off, before returning to Ms Porter and then running away again.

However, Jasmine did not come back the second time, and there had been no sightings of her until a woman called Mrs Beardall on Wednesday night (November 24) to say she had been sold the animal for £50.

Mrs Beardall, 77, said: “A lady rang up and said that two youths had sold her this dog.

“Some chap brought her back. He said that they had had her since Sunday (November 21), but I have a feeling they have had her all that time [since she went missing].

“I got onto the police as I had informed them about it. It seemed a bit funny.

“I have a feeling that if she had been a bit younger and hadn’t been spayed, they might have kept her for breeding.”

The Ash resident said she was given Jasmine last year following the death of her husband in June.

Her daughter died of bronchial pneumonia a few months later in November.

"Lovely dog"

“My cat died last December too, so it was a tough time,” said Mrs Beardall.

“Jasmine’s owner couldn’t look after her anymore, so my daughter-in-law asked if I could have her, as she knew I was a bit down.

“She’s such a lovely dog. She means a lot and has been great company for me.”

"We use a clicker round her neck and if she wanders too far we click and she comes back.

“It seems funny that she just disappeared off the face of the earth.

“I have got a feeling that she was taken, because she is friendly and would go up to people and was also friendly with other dogs."

According to Mrs Beardall, there have been several suspicious incidents involving dogs in Ash.

Car and van

She said: “I spoke to several people and one woman said that two or three dogs have gone missing from over there. It makes you wonder.

“One woman was taking her Labrador for a walk, but somebody saw it being put in a red van.

“Apparently she was sold off in Godalming, but when they took her to the vets they saw that she was chipped and had a name on her, and she was returned to the owner.”

Ms Porter said she was told about a woman whose dog was enticed into a car in Ash by three youths.

“The woman was in the park next to the tennis courts with her children not long ago, and the dog walked toward a blue Fiesta, which looked like it had three youths inside,” she said.

“She ran over and said, ‘What do you think you are doing’, and the boys slammed the door and drove off.

“She rang the police and they said they are aware of the blue Fiesta and a red van, and are aware that dogs are being encouraged [to get into the vehicles].”

A pale lurcher was also reported missing on Ash Ranges on November 16.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: “An investigation is ongoing relating to a report of a lost dog.

“Dog owners should be vigilant and keep an eye on their animals at all times, particularly if they are approached by an individual who engages them in conversation as this can potentially be used as a distraction technique.”